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Automotive Program Spotlight Series
Sharing stories of strategic partnerships to support the next generation of auto technicians and workers
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School Partner: Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN
David Ydstie—a Fixed Ops Director in the greater St. Paul-Minneapolis area—helps deliver Auto Done Easy at Lithia & Driveway (LAD) stores with his proven ability to attract, train, and retain top-quality service technicians through a decade-long partnership with nearby Dakota County Technical College (DCTC).
Ydstie’s leadership in sponsoring paid work-experiences, developing a unique Night Shift program for busy students, and participating in campus events have cemented a steady supply of interns, new hires, and loyal employees at LAD’s Minnesota stores:
Audi Minneapolis, Audi St. Paul, Porsche St. Paul, Porsche Minneapolis, Twin Cities Performance (Ferrari), BMW Minnetonka, and Coon Rapids Chrysler
“Quality, service-centric techs are key to simple, transparent customer experiences,” notes Ydstie. “Their strong service performances earn trust, increase interactions, and ultimately, Earn Customers for Life—all while increasing shop and aftersales revenues.”
Partnership Inspires $50,000 Investment from LAD
In recognition of the partnership’s positive impact, in 2026, LAD donated $50,000 to the college’s high-demand Mopar Career Automotive Program and Automotive Service Technology Program!
Matt Boudinot, a Mopar Career Automotive Program Instructor and DCTC graduate, said that the $50,000 “represents a transformative investment in the future of our automotive technicians, but the true driving force of this partnership is the decade of consistency behind it. . . Dave Ydstie has served as a cornerstone of support for our automotive programs.”
Supporting Students as They Learn
Ydstie has been instrumental in helping stores offer internships to DCTC students and accommodating their busy schedules. To attract auto technicians—who are some of the most sought-after skilled workers today—it’s a smart move for automotive retailers to collaborate with trade and technical schools to help students find their career paths in auto.
- INTERNSHIPS—To earn their degrees, DCTC students attend classes either online or on-campus. When they’re not attending class, they’re working at dealerships alongside experienced technicians and mentors who show them the ropes.
- THE NIGHT SHIFT—Several years ago, Ydstie came up with an innovative idea to help busy college students work in his Audi shop while also managing an increased volume of work. “Getting a bigger shop wasn’t in the cards,” recalls Ydstie, “so I decided to start a night shift program to optimize our existing shop space, utilize the students’ productivity, and accommodate students’ school-work schedules.
DCTC students were the very first crew of students to work the night shift, and today, some of them still work the night shift after graduating.
Staying Visible on Campus
Having a consistent presence on campus is another way to strengthen the college-store partnership. LAD attends the college’s career fairs and vehicle-demo days and never passes up an opportunity to donate equipment and tools to the programs. “We’ve got LAD signage inside the college’s facilities, too,” says Ydstie. “It’s all about marketing that we’re here as a potential employer.”
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) TRACK DAY
DCTC boasts one of the finest driving tracks in the Midwest. Its 2.8-mile track is located just behind campus and draws all sorts of training events, including the annual EV Track Day. Area industry partners—including LAD’s Audi & Porsche stores—participate in the big event by bringing their latest EV or hybrid models for students to get hands-on experience riding in, and learning about, the latest EV technology.
If your store or technical school is interested in developing a similar partnership, reach out to Brittany Osterhout, Community Relations Manager at BrittanyOsterhout@lithia.com.
